Matt Goss sets sail on Cleopatra’s Barge

Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace is getting a new face, international pop sensation Matt Goss. Rest assured he’s not going to be replacing the prominent gold Cleopatra figurehead that guests walk under while passing the bar, but he is going to be the new lounge act starting March 12.

Matt Goss performs at the announcement of his new show at Cleopatra's Barge in Caesars Palace.

“This production will add another exciting entertainment dimension to Caesars Palace and revive the Las Vegas tradition of presenting major recording artists in the city’s most popular late-night venues. I can imagine that Frank Sinatra is looking down from heaven smiling, as we make this announcement,” said Caesar Palace President Gary Selesner at a press conference on Jan. 28.

He along with show producer Robin Antin, creator of the Pussycat Dolls, made the announcement.

Afterwards, media and other invited guests, along with a crowd of onlookers, were treated to a preview of “Matt Goss Live from Caesars Palace produced by Robin Antin.” Goss, his 9-piece band, three sexy dancers branded “The Dirty Virgins” and two back-up singers performed several songs including “Luck Be A Lady” and an original called “Evil.”

Cleopatra’s Barge has been a Caesars Palace staple since it opened in August of 1970. Over the years it has gone from hip lounge to nightclub to just another casino bar amidst various others located in the expansive hotel. But now with Goss’ presence, the bar is back in the spotlight.

At the conference Goss said that he thinks the new show will make Cleopatra’s Barge the next “must-see destination point” in Vegas.

To better accommodate the new show, Selesner said that they are going to make the bar “a little less Egyptian and a little more contemporary to match Matt’s personality.”

Before the show opens, the bar will be refurbished with new red curtains, carpet, furniture and other adjustments to re-create a vintage Vegas feel with maitre d’ seating, tableside cocktail service and specialty cocktails.

On Friday and Saturday evenings when Goss performs the bar will be called The Gossy Room at Cleopatra’s Barge to let people know that the iconic venue has a new headliner. Previously Goss performed a limited-time engagement show at the Palms. His new show will be at 10 p.m.

While some people in Vegas might not be familiar with Goss, in other parts of the world he’s a well known entertainer. He rose to fame as a member for the ’80s pop group Bros. The group had more than a decade of success and sold more than 17 million records worldwide. In 2005 Goss released an autobiography that achieved “Best Seller” status in the “London Sunday Times.” He went on to focus on songwriting and penned the theme song for the No. 1 Fox program “So You Think You Can Dance.” He also wrote the hit song “Change Me” for Keri Hilson and Akon. When he’s not performing Goss is working on his next studio album.

Click here to see a video of Goss’s performance from the press conference: